The arrests were made by agents of the Sheriff`s Office organized crime bureau investigating a Miami-based lottery being operated in a predominantly Haitian community in the city, said sheriff`s spokesman Jim Leljedal.

Agents served a search warrant at a home in the 800 block of Northwest 12th Avenue about 8 p.m. and arrested Vilar Feristin, 31, of Fort Lauderdale and Alejandro Silva, 36, of Miami.

At the same time, agents entered a home in the 800 block of Northwest 10th Terrace and arrested Jocelyn Fleurinor, 46, and Sainvil Nelicence, 32, both of Fort Lauderdale, and Jose Menendez, 24, Casildo Sanchez, 42, and Earles Gonzalez, 32, all of Miami.

All seven were charged with aiding and assisting in a lottery and are being held in the county jail.

Fleurinor, Silva and Feristin also were charged with possession of lottery paraphernalia after agents seized lottery tickets, lists of names, two vehicles and $5,000 in cash, Leljedal said.

Agents set up surveillance in the area after being tipped off that several houses were being used as daily drop points for money and tickets that were then taken to a Cuban group running the lottery in Miami, Leljedal said.